It’s Not ALL about the Money

What are the psychological forces that challenge your financial integrity.

Do you struggle with integrating your spiritual and financial life? I’m here to be your emotional guru. Let’s take a look at the unconscious forces that that determine our financial integrity. 

Let’s dig in and figure some things out…

Beyond Wanting – Legend has it that when billionaire Rockefeller was asked how much money would be enough for him, he replied, “Just a little bit more.” This quote illustrates the “wanting mind” that part of us can never quite satisfied with how things are. The wanting mind insists that things need to change in order for us to be happy. Money is one of our favorite things to focus/dwell on. Most of us can identify with the feeling that we’ll finally be happy when (fill in the blank) happens or we have a bank balance of (fill in the amount). This is just part of the human condition. I’m not saying that it is wrong to have these desires. But can you see how each of these thoughts, which is underlying foundation in “not enough,” actually undermines our life right now, just as it is? Ever since one of these thoughts presumes that we’d be happier or more secure if something were to change. And there would be no problem with this strategy…if we actually ended up happier after fulfilling our wants. But we don’t. We usually just end up wanting more. How does the Wanting Mind leave its mark on our financing lives? It often produces significant debt and insignificant savings, or a big pile of money protected by a stingy, ungenerous attitude. One important antidote to the Wanting Mind is Heartfelt Goals – you all know how much I LOVE GOALS! The Wanting Mind’s desires are characterized by a childlike urgency for personal benefit, often with a sense of petty competitiveness. Heartfelt Goals, on the other hand, are driven by our deepest values. They serve something bigger than ourselves, and are usually accompanied by a feeling of patience and a deeper sense of meaning. The 

Heart of the Matter – Sometimes when we get knocked off course from our deeply held financial decisions are being dictated by our story. Remember that child (metaphorically) that’s running your financing life – that’s why we’re so scattered. Until you can identify and examine your story, your outer financial life will be a mirror of your unconscious expectations. To get a sense of your own story, we have to ask ourselves some questions: (now write these downs to ask yourself & spend some time considering later)

1. What’s your most painful memory related to money?

2. What’s your biggest fear about money?

3. What were you taught was important about money?

4. When have you have been most positively or negatively moved by money?

As you gain a deeper understanding of how past conditioning affects your current behavior and attitude. It’s important to identify and retain the healthiest parts of The Story’s message, while at the same time letting go of the extreme and unhealthy behaviors and attitude it has endangered. 

Stereotyping – Those of you that know me or have listened to me much, I stereotype all the time. I know it isn’t good to put people/feelings into boxes, but it is the best way I’ve been able to come up with educational nuggets ;) That being said, each of us has certain characteristic spending and saving habits consistent with one or more of eight financial types. These characteristics are really the energies within us. They are not just personal but more like collective patterns that are manifested within us and recognizable in others. By bringing conscious awareness to what is unconscious, we can attain balance and a sense of control over our financial destiny. 

Here is a quick snapshot of the 8 personalities:

· The Guardian – is always alert and careful

· The Pleasure Seeker – prioritizes pleasure and enjoyment in the here and now

· The Idealist – places value on creativity, social justice or spiritual growth

· The Saver – seeks security and abundance by accumulating financial assets

· The Star – spends, invests or gives money away to be recognized, feel classy and increase self-esteem

· The Innocent – avoids putting attention on money and hopes that life will work out for the best

· The Caretaker – gives money to express compassion and generosity

· The Empire Builder – thrives on power and wants to create something of enduring value

None of these personalities is inherently good or bad, and most of us demonstrate characteristics consistent with a few of them. The goal is to be able to take advantage of strengths of each one. ie the Wisdom of the Saver, the Wardrobe of the Star J To do this without getting trapped in their weakness. ie the Saver who becomes Stingy, the Star who bankrupts himself on the latest trends. In my opinion the optimal human being would be balanced among all eight types. Who wouldn’t want to be the person whose financial life was experienced as secure and abundant, pleasure-filled and joyous, powerful and creative, self-sufficient, significant and worthy, relaxed, generous, and compassionate?

Abundant at Heart – While a great deal of popular financial advice revolves around a scrimp-and-save approach, that isn’t a very exciting, enjoyable or fulfilling life. A generous, other-focused attitude is actually central to a healthy financial life – and a truly healthy life, period! True freedom comes from being secure and confident enough in our resources, and clear enough about our real needs, that we feel we have plenty to share. We are free when we move from a focus of “getting” love, abundance, peace and freedom to “being” love, abundance, peace and freedom. Finding financial peace comes not from a bank statement, but from cultivating a healthy sense of “enough” in the here and now. 

Not saying you shouldn’t strive for more. Set goals and work for them. Improve your life….But as Ferris Bueller said, “If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”

Best of Success! ~Andrea

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